Metro investigating pair of inmate deaths

Metro Police are investigating the deaths of two inmates in separate incidents over the weekend.

On Saturday, a 61-year-old male inmate collapsed in his cell at the Clark County Detention Center, according to a Metro press release. Medical personnel attended to the inmate, who had been in custody since April 19, but he died a short time later.

On Sunday, a 57-year-old male inmate died at the North Valley Complex after a verbal altercation with other inmates, according to the release. The inmate was handcuffed by corrections officers and escorted out of the unit following the argument. The inmate then collapsed, and medical personnel responded. The inmate was transported to North Vista Hospital, where he later died. He had been in custody since March 16, and at the North Valley Complex since April 17.

Both deaths are being investigated by the Metro Police Force Investigation Team, which, in a change from prior procedures, is now investigating all inmate deaths, not just those that followed contact with corrections officers.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office will release the cause and manner of death.

The Metro Police reports will be available on the “use of force” page at lvmpd.com upon conclusion of the investigations.